Railway switch operating apparatus



Sept. 14, 1937. H. L. BONE RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING APPARATUS FiledSept. 14, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Herbert L. Bone.

Q RWJZVWQ 111s ATTORNEY Sept. 14, 1937. H. L. BONE RAILWAY SWITCHOPERATING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 14, 1935 \NVENTORHerbert 1/. 501 2 Sept. 14, 1937. V BONE 2,092,828

RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 14, 1935 4 SheetsSheet 5Fly. 8.

Herbert L. Bone.

H135 ATTOR N EY Sept. 14, 1937. H. BONE 2,092,828

RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING APPARATUS 28 28 Lam-2Q.

Z Mud/Q Fig. 14.

INVENTOR Herberz L. Bone.

HIS ATTORNEY 2 i supply of electrical .lPatented Sept. 14, 1937 PATENTOFFICE ,092,828 RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING APPARATUS Herbert L. Bone,Pifllblu' Union Switch d: S gnal sh, Pa., allignor to The Company,SwIssvale,

Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application September 14, 1935,Serial No. 40,606

15 Claims. (01. 240-393) My invention relates to railway switchoperating apparatus, and has for an object the provision ditions and inthe event of a failure either of the energy or of fluid pressure, andwhich can be safely provided with valve mechanism which cuts on thesupply of fluid pressure to the operating cylinder of the operatingmechanism when the switch has been operated 15 to either extremeposition by the operating mechanism.

I will describe one form of switch operating apparatus embodying myinvention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a top plan view showing arailway switch A provided with one form of switch operating mechanism Bembodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view on an enlarged scaleof the mechanism B 25 shown in Fig. 1, the cover being removed to betterillustrate the construction of the parts. Fig. 3 is a sectional viewtaken substantially on the line III-III of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a left-handend view, partly in section and partly in elevation of the mechanism Bshown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a rightof the mechanism B shown in Fig. 2.Fig. 6 is a side view, looking downwardly as viewed in Fig. 2, of themechanism B shown in the preceding views. Fig. 7 is a detail view 5 ofthe part II- of the end closure member forming part of the casing forthe mechanism shown in the preceding views. Fig. 8 is a top plan view ofthe auxiliary closure plate 23 forming part of the casingfor themechanism shown in the preceding views. Fig. 9 is a sectional view ofthe toggle spring unit U forming part of the mechanism B shown in Figs.2 and 3. Fig. 10 is a detail view showing, on an enlarged scale, thehand crankshaft mechanism illustrated in Figs, 2 and 3. Figs. 11 and 12are sectional views taken on. the lines XI- xr and XII-XII,respectively, of Fig. 2. Fig. 13 is a .detail view showing a portion ofthe cut-out switch which is controlled by the lever latch E.

parts in each of the severalviews.

II forming part of the Figis a top plan view showing the mechanismReferring first to Fig. 1, the reference character A designates arailway switch comprising, as usual, two fixed rails I and If and twomovable and 2. The fixed rails land I are laid on tie plates 3 and aresecured to crossties 4 in .the usual and well-known manner. The movablerails 2 and 2 are fastened together by a tie rod 5 and a head rod 6, andmay be moved into normal and throw rod I which is connected with thehead rod 8 through the medium of the usual switch basket 8. When theswitch occupies its normal position, in which position it is shown inthe drawings, the movable rail 2 engages the fixed rail I', and themovable rail 2 is spaced a sufficient distance from the fixed rail I topermit the flange of a car wheel which is rolling along the fixed rail Ito pass freely between the fixed rail I andthe movable rail 2. When theswitch is reversed, the movable rail 2 then engages the fixed rail I,and the movable rail 2 is spaced from the fixed rail I.

Associated with the switch A is a switch operating mechanism B embodyingmy present invention, which mechanism I will now describe. As

best seen in Figs. 2 to 6, inclusive, the mechanism is enclosed in acasing I II which may have any suitable construction, but which in theform here illustrated comprises a base plate II, two side plates I2 andI3, an end closure member I4, and a removable cover Ii. The base plateII is constructed of pressed steel and, as best seen in Figs. 4 and 5,is bent to form two vertically offset laterally projecting portions IIand II and a vertically disposed portion II. The offset portions I I andII are each provided with a plurality of holes I I for the reception oflag screws, bolts or the like, to facilitate fastening the base plate toa pair of the adjacent crossties I or other suitable foundation. Theside plate I2 is bolted to the vertical portion II of the base plate bymeans of bolts I6 in such manner that this side plate may be turned endfor end. The side plate I3 is welded at its lower edge to a horizontalmember I I which latter member, in turn, is bolted to the laterallyprojecting portion Il 'of the base plate II by means of bolts I! in suchmanner that the side plate I l is parallel to the side plate I2, andthat the side plate I! mayalso be turned end for end. The base plate IIis made somewhat shorter in length than the two side plates for reasonswhich will appear as the description proceeds. The end closure member Icomprises a frame Il and an end plate Il The frame II, which frameis-shown on an en larged scale in Fig. "l, is constructed of pressedsteel, and as will be apparent from an inspection of Figs. 2 and 3 isbent to form two angularly shaped side portions |4 and l4 which areselcured to the side plates l2 and I3 by means of studs l8, and a baseportion i4 which projects inwardly and engages the adjacent end of thebase plate. The end plate W is secured to the frame i4 by means of bolts19 in such manner that this end plate may be turned end for end. Thecover I5 is also constructed of pressed steel and is provided adjacentone end with two inwardly projecting trunnions l5", and at the other endwith a handle 20. The trunnions it: extend into, and cooperate with,inclined aligned slots i2 and l3 (see Figs. 2, 3 and 6) formed in theend plate in such manner that the cover can be rotated about thetrunnions 15' between a closed position in which it is shown in Fig. 6and an open position in which access to the interior of the casing maybe had, and that, if desired, the cover can be completely removed bymerely lifting it upwardly in a manner to remove the trunnions [5 fromthe inclined slots l2 and I3 formed in the plates l2 and IS. The covermay be locked in its closed position by placing a padlock through astaple 2| which is secured to the cover, and which cooperates with ahasp 22 which is secured to the side plate l2. The casing l furthercomprises an auxiliary closure plate 23 (see Fig. 8) which is providedat each side with oppositely extending apertured right angle portions 23and 23 and which is secured to the side plates l2 and i3 adjacent theirleft-hand ends as viewed in Fig. 2, by means of bolts 24, in such mannerthat this auxiliary closure plate may be turned upside down and end forend under certain conditions which will be made clear hereinafter. Theauxiliary closure member 23 has a portion23 cut away to facilitatebringing piping into the casing. A

Mounted in the casing l0 adjacent the righthand end of the casing, asviewed in Figs. 2 and 3 is a transversely extending rod 26, andjournaled 45 on this rod is a switch operating crank 21 comprising twolaterally spaced arms 21 secured to a hub 21*. The crank 21 is adaptedto be moved between two extreme positions either by a double actingfluid pressure motor M, or by a hand crank 28, in a manner which will bedescribed in detail hereinafter, and this crank is operatively connectedby means of a pin 23 mounted in the outer ends of the arms 21, with thepreviously described operating rod 1 in such manner that movement ofthis crank between its two extreme positions will move extremepositions.

As best seen in Fig. 3, the fluid pressure motor M in the form hereshown comprises a the switch A between its two 0 cylinder 30 which isclosed at one end by means nism C which controls of a cylinder head 3i,and which is provided at the other end with a stufllng box 32 throughwhich a piston rod 33 extends into the cylinder. The piston rod 33 isattached at its inner end to a reciprocable piston 34 by means of a nut35,- and is operatively connected at its outer end with the crank 21 bymeans of the pin 29. The cylinder head 31 is pivotally mounted on atransverse rod 36 which extends parallel to the rod 26 adjacent theleft-hand end of the casing Ill as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3, and hasformed integral therewith a casting 31 comprising part 01! a valvemechathe supply of fluid pressure to the opposite ends of the fluidpressure motor M. I

, valve R.

The valve mechanism C forms no part of my present invention, and isessentially the same as that described and claimed in Letters Patent ofthe UnitedStates No. 1,875,853, granted to John P. Coleman, on September6, 1933, for Railway traflic controlling apparatus, although certainparts of the mechanism shown in the said Coleman patent have beenomitted from the valve mechanism C because these parts are unnecessaryin the present application of the valve mechanism. Since the valvemechanism C is essentially the same as that shown in the said Colemanpatent, it is believed that for purposes of the present application, itis sufllcient to state that this valve mechanism comprises a normalmagnet valve N and a reverse magnet valve R. When the normal magnetvalve N becomes energized, it disconnects the operating cylinder of anassociated pneumatically operated relay valve N from atmosphere,and-connects it with a source of fluid pressure, thus causing this relayvalve to disconnect a passageway 38 (see Fig. 3) which communicates withthe right-hand end oi. cylinder 30 from atmosphere, and to connect thispassageway with a source of fluid pressure. When, however, the magnetvalve N is deenergized, this magnet valve then disconnects the operatingcylinder of the associated relay valve N from the source of fluidpressure and reconnects it with atmosphere, whereupon this valveoperates to disconnect the passageway 38 from the source of fluidpressure and to connect it with atmosphere. In a similar manner, whenthe reverse magnet valve R becomes energized, it disconnects theoperating cylinder of an associated relay valve R from atmosphere andconnects it with the source of fluid pressure, thus causing this relayvalve to disconnect a passageway 39 which communicates with theleft-hand end of cylinder 30 from atmosphere, and to connect thepassageway with the source of fluid pressure. When, however, the reversemagnet valve R becomes deenergized, it disconnects the operatingcylinder of the associated relay valve R from the source of fluidpressure and connects it with atmosphere, whereupon the relay valvedisconnects the passageway 33 from the source of fluid pressure andreconnects it with atmosphere. The two relay valves N and R areinterconnected by suitable mechanism in such manner that both relayvalves cannot be simultaneously operated to admit fluid pressure to bothends of cylinder 30 at the same time, thus preventing the undesirablecondition that might result if the magnet valves N and B. shouldaccidentally both become energized at the same time.

From the foregoing, it will be obvious that when the magnet valve Nbecomes energized, fluid pressure will be admitted to the right-hand endof cylinder 30, as viewed in Fig. 3, thus causing the piston 34 to bemoved toward the lefthand end of its stroke, whereas, when the magnet isenergized, fluid pressure will then be admitted to the left-hand end ofcylinder 30 which will cause the piston 34. to move toward the right.The parts are so proportioned that movement of the piston 34 from oneend of its stroke to the other will move the switch operating crank 21from its one extreme position to the other, and it will be apparent,therefore, that by energizing the proper magnet valve N or R the switchmay be moved from either extreme position to its other extreme position.

The switch operating crank 21 is biased to its nearest extreme positionby means of toggle mechanism comprising-a toggle togglespring unit U.The osglecrank II on' one end of the sleeve, and carries a nut 44 whichcooperates with the flange 42- to limit the position to which the sleevecan slide on the shaped opening 42 in the sleeve in such manner that thenut is free toslide in the opening, but that, relative rotation oi thenut and sleeve is prevented. A spring retainer cap II is mounted on thespring rod adjacent a shoulder formed ontherod,andinterposedbetweenthlscapand an outwardly extending annular flange 42formedonthespringsleevelsacompressedcoil spring 46 which constantlybiases the spring sleeve and spring rod to the relative positions in.which the nut 44 engages the flange l2". 'lhe spring unit is pivotallymounted the transverse rod 30 by means which ceives the transverse rodIt with some clearance. The other end ofthe spring unit is pivotallyattached to the arm ll of the toggle crank 4| by means of a pin- 41which extends through a clearance hole inthe anmand through two spacedlugs 42 which are provided on and which straddle the arm ii. The pin 41is held in place in the lugs fl' -ln a manner which will be obvious froman inspection of the drawliroportioned that the occupy its dead centerposition when the switch operating crank is in its mid stroke position.The parts are further so proportioned that under normal conditions thenut 44 will remain out of engagement with theflflange on the springsleeve 42, but that, ii the parts should get out of adjustment in suchmanner that the switch operating crank is permitted to rotate beyond theposition which it normally occupies when the switch is moved to eitherof its two extreme positions, the nut will of an eye 43'' then engagethe flange and will thus act as a stop to limit the motion of theoperating crank.

Asegment gear 48 isformedonthehubof the ssle crank 4|, and this with agear 40 seemed.

extend in opposite directions from the connecting portion II" and areprovided at the ends which adjoin the connecting portion withsemicircular recesses I and ll, respectively, the functions oi whichrecesseswillbemadeclearprwently. Thehub aofthehandcrank leverll'isrotatably and isformedonthespringrodandwhichre' the spring sleeve,

reach a position in which the toggle v lever and will,

connecting portion II of the cam slot II alignwiththepin80,andthehandthenbefreetoslideasiallyalongthehand crankshaft I. from a position inisdisposedintheoflsetportionil'od' slot II toa position in which thepinis in the portion II", orvice versa. The

the switch operating crank between its two treme positionseitherbythemotormor train trailing the switch, will caun the tomoveidlyinthe portion W of thecamsl The parts are still further so proportionedif, when the hand lever occupies the axi sitionontheshaftinwhichthepinposed in the portion IP of the cam hand lever is rotated from its normalverse position, the pin It will engage slot I at the semicircular recessll alter the hand lever has been rotated away its normal position andwill thus cause the to rotate with the hand lever until the mechanismcompletes the movement of the switch, and that, if when the hand leveroccupies the axial position on the shaft in which the pin I6 is disposedin the portion ll of the cam slot, the hand levu' is rotated from itsreverse to its normal position, the pin it will thenensase thecamslot atthe operating. crank. It should be noted that the pin ll in addition tocooperating with the cam slot in the manner described also cooperateswith the camslottohold thehandcrankinplaceonthe hand crankshaft.

The hand crank 28 is further provided with two H lly oifsetdiametrically opposite outwardly The outer face 28 from its reverseposition, the beveled face of the lug will engage the from the fullreverse pin a short distance away position of the hand crank during thebalance of, the movementor the hand crank, automatically force the a toform a contact 'l0l|.

- hand'crank inwardly along the-shaft 50 to the position in which thepin 56 is disposed in the portion of the cam slot. The inner face 28 ofthe lug 28 is likewise beveled as shown in Fig. 2, and cooperates withthe pin 51 in such manner that if the pin 5'6 is in the portion 55 ofthe cam slot 55 when the hand lever is moved to its reverse position,the beveled face of this lug will engage the pin 51 a short distanceaway from the full reverse position of the hand crank, and will, duringthe balance of the movement of the hand crank automatically force thehand crank outwardly along the hand crankshaft to the position in whichthe pin 56 is disposed in the portion 55 of the cam slot.

Associated with the hand lever 28 is a lever latch E by means of whichthe hand lever 28 may at times be locked in its normal position in whichit is shown in the drawings. As here illustrated, this lever latchcomprises a suitable casting 60 which is secured to the side plate l3 bymeans of studs BI, and which is provided in its upper side with a jaw 52(see Fig. 4) which is adapted to receive the hand lever 28 when the handlever ocis pivotally supported at its lower end on a pivot pin 63mounted in the lower part of the casting 60, and this latching member isprovided at its upper end with a latch 64 which, when the latchingmember occupies its latching position in which it is shown in thedrawings, projects into the path of movement of the hand throw leverinto and out of the jaw 62, but which, when the latching member isrotated to itsunlatching position, is then clear of the path of movementof the hand lever. The latching member is also provided at its upper endwith a finger piece 65 to facilitate rotating the latching member to itslatching position in opposition to the bias of biasing means which willbe described presently. The latching member is further provided with avertical slot 66 ,which, when the latching member occupies its latchingposition, receives an eye 61 formed on the casting 60 in such mannerthat by placing a padlock 68 or other suitable locking device in theeye, the hand lever may be locked in its normal position.

The latching member 63 controls contact mechanism for preventingenergization of the magnet valves N and R except when the-hand lever 28occupies its normal position and is locked in this position by thelatching member 53. As best seen in Figs. 4 and 13'; thiscontactmechanism comprises a movable contact finger 10 which cooperateswith a fixed contact finger ii The contact fingers 1B and ii are securedin spaced relation to a molded insulating member 12 which is bolted tothe side plate IS on the inside of the casting i3 directly opposite thelever latch, and these fingers are electrically connected with terminalposts i3 and 74, respectively, mounted in the insulating member, tofacilitate making electrical connections with the contact fingers. Themov- 6 able contact finger i8 is longer than the fixed contact fingerII, and extends at its lower end into a slot i6 formed in an insulatingpart '11 which is secured to theinner end of a rod 18. The rod 18 isslidably mounted intermediate its ends in a clearance hole 19 formed inthe side plate l3, and is pivotally connected at its outer end with thelatching member 63 by means of a pin. 69 in such manner that when thelatching member occupies its latching position, the mov- 5 able contactfinger will be moved to a position cupies its normal position. Alatching member 63 a movement of the switch points.

in which the contact "lo-1| is closed, but that,

when the latching member 63 is moved to its unlatching position, themovable contact finger III will then be moved to a position in which thecontact IO-ll is open. A compressed coil spring is mounted on the rod I8between the side plate l3 and a spring retaining washer 8| which ismounted on the rod adjacent a shoulder 83, and this spring constantlybiases the latching member 63' to its unlatching position in which thecontact 10-1! is open. It will be seen, therefore, that whenever thehand lever is unlocked, the latching member will occupy its unlatchingposition and the contact |01i will be open.

As shownin the drawings, all parts are in their normal positions. Thatis to say, the switch operating crank 21 is rotated to the end of itsstroke in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, and is held in thisposition by the toggle mechanism U, thus causing the switch A to beyieldingly held in its normal position; the piston 34 of the fluidpressure motor M occupies the lefthand end of its stroke as viewed inFig. 3; the magnet valves N and R are both deenergized so that thesupply of fluid pressure to both ends of cylinder 30 of motor M is cutoil; the hand throw lever 28 occupies its normal position and is lockedin this position by means of the lever latch E and associated padlock58, and the contact IO-.4! is closed.

If, now, with the parts in the positions just described, it is desiredto operate the switch to its reverse position by power, the reversemagnet valve R is energized over, a circuit which is not shown in thedrawings because it forms no part of my present invention, but whichcircuit includes the contact IO-H. The energizatlon of this magnet valvecauses fluid pressure to be admitted to the left-hand end of cylinder 30of motor M in the manner previously described, and

this pressure acts through the piston BI and piston rod 33 to exert aforce on the switch operating crank 21 which force causes the operatingcrank to rotate from the extreme position shown toward its oppositeextreme position. This rotation of the operating crank will, of course.be opposed by the bias of the toggle spring assembly until the operatingcrank reaches its dead center position, in which position the togglespring assembly will exert no force on the operating crank. However; assoon as the operating crank passes its dead center position, the bias ofthe toggle spring assembly will then aid the fluid pressure motor M inmoving the operating crank, with the result" that at the end of thestroke of the operating crank both the fluid pressure motor and thetoggle spring assembly will exert a force on the operating crank whichtends to complete "the In actual practice, the circuit which controlsthe energization of the magnet valve R will usually be controlled by acircuit controller which is operated by the movement of the switchpoints, and. this circuit will preferably be so arranged that the magnetvalve R will become deenergized and will cut off the supply of fluidpressure to the motor M shortly before the switch points have entirelycompleted their stroke, with the result that only the toggle springassembly will be eflective to hold the switch points closed in theirreverse positions.

pleted their strokefthe operation of the switch operating mechanism isso rapid that sumcient fluid pressure will remain in the cylinder 30,after the supply of fluid pressure becomes cut ofl, to

complete the movement of the switch points to their reverse positions.It should also be pointed out that during the movement of the switchpoints to, their reverse positions, the hand crankshaft 50 will berotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3,'through the mediumof the segment gear 48 and pinion 49, but this rotation will not exertany force on the hand crankshaft 21 tending to rotate it, because, dueto the previously described construction of the cam slot 55, the pin 56will move idly in the portion 5.") oi the cam slot under theseconditions.

After the switch points have been moved to their! reverse positions inthe manner just described and it is desired to restore them to theirnormal positions in which they are shown in the drawings by power, themagnet valve N is energized over a circuit which is not shown in thedrawings because it forms no part of my present invention, but whichcircuit also includes the contact ill-1|. The operation of the apparatusunder these conditions is similar to that just described, it being notedthat in actual practice, the circuit for controlling the magnet valve Nwill usually be controlled by the same circuit con troller whichcontrols the magnet valve R, in such manner that the magnet valve N willbecome deenergized shortly before the switch points have completed theirstroke to their full reverse position. Since the operation of theapparatus under these conditions is similar to that just described, itisbelieved that this operation will be apparent from the foregoing andfrom an inspection of the drawings without further description.

I will now assume thatthe parts are in their normal positions in whichthey are shown in the drawings and that a train trails the switch. Un-

- der these conditions, the force which is exerted on the switch pointsby the wheels of the train will move the points toward theirreversepositions, and this movement of the points, in turn, will actthrough the operating rod 1 to rotate the operating crank 21 from itsnormal position to its reverse position. During the rotation of theoperating crank to its mid stroke position, the toggle spring assemblywill, of course, oppose the movement of the switch points, but as soonas the switch operating crank has passed its mid stroke position, thetoggle spring assembly will thenbecome eil'ective to complete themovement of the points to their reverse positions. Furthermore, if thecircuit for the control of the normal magnet valve N is arranged to becontrolled by a circuit controller in the manner previously referred to,fluid pressure will be admitted to the fluid pressure motor as soon asthe points have been forced away from their normal positions a shortdistance, and the movement of the points will thereafter also be opposedto some extent by the fluid pressure motor. However, in actual practice,means are usually provided for vdeenergizing the normal magnet valveunder these 5 conditions and for energizing the reverse magnet valve assoon as the parts have been moved past their mid stroke positions, andfor again deeii- .ergizing the reverse magnet valve when the points arewithin a short distance of their full reverse positions. As a result, assoon as the points have passed their midstroke positions, the fluidpressure motor will aid the toggle mechanism in complating the movementof the points. After the points have reached their full reversepositions they will then be held in their reverse positions by thetoggle mechanism until the points are restored to their normal positionseither by operation of the motor M or by a train trailing the switch, orby operation of the hand lever in the manner which will be describedpresently.

When the parts are in their reverse positions and a train trails theswitch, the operation of the apparatus is similar to that just describedand will be understood from the foregoing and from an inspection of thedrawings without further detailed description.

I will next assume that the parts are in their normal positions and thatit is desired to reverse the switch by means of the hand operating crank28. To do this, the padlock 68 is first removed from the eye 61 of thelever latch E. This allows the latching member 63 of the lever latch toswing to its unlatching position due to the bias of spring 80, thusunlocking the hand crank and also opening the contact Illl. The openingof the contact IO-ll interrupts all circuits for the magnet valves N andR and thus prevents any operation of the switch operating mechanism bypower as long as the hand crank remains unlocked. The operator will nextrotate the hand crank from the extreme position shown to its oppositeextreme position. This rotation of the hand crank will cause the pin 56to engage the cam slot 55 at the semicircular recess 55 as soon as thehand crank has been moved away from its normal position a relativelyshort distance, and as a result, as the rotation of the hand crankcontinues, the hand crankshaft will be rotated with the hand crank. Thisrotation of the hand crankshaft will, of course, be trans mitted throughthe pinion 48 to the toggle crank 4| and from the toggle crank 4| to theswitch operating crank 21 thus causing the switch operating crank torotate in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3. It will beseen, therefore, that during the first half of the stroke of the handcrank, the toggle spring assembly will oppose the motion of the switchpoints, but as soon as the hand crank has passed the mid stroke positionthe toggle spring will begin to assist the movement of the switchpoints, with the result that as the switch points approach their reversepositions the toggle assembly will cause'the points to snap quickly totheir reverse positions and will thus cause the hand crankshaft torotate away from the position in which the pin 56 is engaging the camslot 55 at the semicircular recess 55. It should be particularly pointedout that this rotation of the hand crankshaft away from the hand crankwill not result in the hand crank being jerked forward out of the handof the operator because the portion 56 of the cam slot in which the pinis disposed will be open behind the pin 56 during this rotation. As thestroke of the hand crank is completed, however, reverse lug 28 willengage the fixed pin the hand crank outwardly along the hand crankshaftto the position in which the pin 58 is disposed in the portion 55 of thecam slot.

If, after the switch points have been reversed by the hand crank 21 inthe manner Just described, it is desired to restore the switch points totheir normal positions by means of the hand crank, this may be done byrestoring the hand crank to its normal position. Under these conditions,the pin will engage the cam slot 55 at the semicircular recess 55', andwill thus cause the hand crankshaft 50 to rotate with the hand 49 andsegment gear 51 and will thereby slide crank until the switch pointshave been moved past their mid stroke positions, whereupon the togglespring assembly will complete the movement of the points. As the handcrank 21 approaches its full normal position, the normal lug 28 willcooperate with the fixed pin 51 to move the hand crank inwardly alongthe hand crankshaft to the position in which the pin 56 is disposed inthe portion 55 of the cam slot.

I will now assume that the switch points are in their reverse positionsand the hand crank is in its normal position, and that it is desired tooperate the switch points to their normal positions by means of the handcrank. Under these conditions, inasmuch as the position of the handcrank does not correspond to that of the switch, it is necessary tofirst rotate the hand crank from its normal position to its reverseposition, and then rotate the hand crank back to its normal position.During the movement of the hand crank to its reverse position, the pin56 will move idly along the portion 55 of the cam slot until the reverselug engages the pin 51, whereupon the resultant outward movement of thehand crank will cause the pin .56 to move out of the portion 55 of thecam slot 55 and into the portion 55'. As a result, when the direction ofrotation of the hand crank is then reversed, the operation of theapparatus will be the same as described above during movement of theswitch points to their normal positions by the hand crank followingtheir previous movement to their reverse positions by the hand crank.

When the hand crank occupies its rev'erse position, and the switchoccupies its normal position, and it is desired to move the switch toits reverse position by means of the hand crank, the hand crank is firstrotated to its normal position, and it is then rotated back to itsreverse position. Under these conditions, the pin 56 will move idlyalong the portion 55 "of the cam slot 55 until the hand crank reachesthe position in which the normal lug 28' engages the flxed pin 51,whereupon the resultant inward movement .of 45 the hand crank will causethe pin 56 to move out of the portion 55 of the cam slot and into theportion 55*. when the direction of rotation of the lever is thenreversed, the operation of the apparatus will be the same as thatdescribed 50 hereinbefore when the switch was moved from its normalposition to its reverse position by means of the hand crank. 1

I will now assume that the switch has been moved to its reverse positionby the hand crank, 55 and that it is desired to release the hand crankand return it to its normal position without restoring the switchto itsnormal position. To do this, the hand crank must be pushed inwardly whenit is started back toward its normal posi-' tion so that it will retracethe path it takes when the switch is moved from its normal position toits reverse position by the hand crank.

Whenever the switch has been moved to either extreme position by thehand crank, and it is desired to restore the movement to condition forpower operation, it is, of course, necessary to restore the hand leverto its normal position.

and relock it in this position by means of the padlock 68. As soon asthis has been done, 70 the movement will then be automatically operatedby power to the position corresponding to that which the controlapparatus then occupies.

The switch operating mechanism B is so constructed that it may beassembled for either a 7 right-hand or a left-hand switch layout. The

preceding views show the mechanism assembled for a left-hand applicationand Fig. 14 shows the mechanism assembled for a right-hand application.

The mechanism may be changed from a righthand assembly to a left-handassembly or vice versa in the following manner: Turn the side plate l2end for end and reverse the position of the padlock hasp 22. Turn theside plate It end for end and reverse the position ofthe hand crankassembly, the contact assembly and the lever latch E. Turn the end plateend for end with respect to the frame l4 and then turn the whole endclosure member assembly end for end and fasten it to the opposite end ofthe casing. Turn the auxiliary closure plate 23 upside down and secureit to the opposite end of the casing. Remove the toggle crank 4| fromthe operating crank 21 and reassemble it in a new position correspondingto the desired position of the parts. Remove the pinion 49 from the handcrankshaft 50 and reassemble it on the shaft in a new position spaced180 from its old position. Reassemble motor M, toggle spring assembly Uand operating crank 21. It will be noted that the motor and togglespring assembly are turned end for end but that the operating crank ismoved straight back.

Switch operating mechanisms of the type described are adapted to be usedin the same type of service as the well-known forms of direct actingmovements have heretofore been used. One advantage of switch operatingmechanism embodying my invention over the previous types of directacting switch operating mechanisms is that since the supply of fluidpressure to the operating motor is cut off before the switch reaches itsextreme positions, the fluid which was previously lost in the directacting type of movement by leakage will be saved. Furthermore, a failureof the fluid pressure supply such as would be caused by breakage of thesupply pipe leading to the switch movement will not cause the switchpoints to open and derail cars which might be passing over the switch'atthe time. The above features together with the fact that the mechanismmay be operated by hand makes it possible to entirely out ofl the supplyof fluid pressure in classification car retarder yards during the timethe yards are not operating and still run an cecasional engine or trainthrough the yard, throwing the necessary switches by hand. Thisarrangement, of course, results in a further saving of fluid which mightotherwise be lost by leakage.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of switchoperating apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood thatvarious changes and modifications may be made therein within the scopeof the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of myinvention.-

Having thus described my invention, what I tion, means for locking saidhand crank inone of its extreme positions, and means operated by saidlocking means for preventing operation of said switch by said powermeans except when saidhandcrankislockedinsaidoneextreme position. 7

2. Railway switch operating apparatus comprising a switch operatingcrankmovable between two extreme positions, means for biasing said crankto its nearest extreme position, electrically controlled means formoving said switch operating crank between its two extreme positions, ahand crank, means for at times operatively connecting said hand crankwith said switch operating said operating crank by said hand crank,latch mechanism for locking said hand crank in one extreme position, andcontact for controlling said electrically controlled means controlled bysaid latch mechanism. 3. Railway switch operating apparatus comprising aswitch operating crank rotatable between two extreme positions andbiased to its nearest extreme position, a hand crankshaft opconnectedwith said switch operating crank, a hand crank journaled'on said shaft,and

means including a cam slot formed in said hand crankshaft and a pinscrewed to said hand crank an and cooperating with said cam slot foropera- 4. Railway switch operating apparatus comprising a handcrankshaft rotatable between two extreme positions, a hand crank looselymounted on said hand crankshaft, means including a pinsecuredtooneofsaidparts andacamslot formed in the other part foroperatively connecting said hand crank with said 5. Railway switchoperating apparatus comprising a hand crankshaft rotatable between twoextreme positions, a cam'slot formed insaid hand'crankshaft, said slotcomprising two axially offset portions extending circumferentially inopposite directions from an intermediate connecting portion and providedat the ends which are adjacent to said connecting portion withsemirecesses, ahand crank mounted on said such manner that said crank isfree to both rotate relative to said shaft and to slide axially alongsaid shaft, a pin secured to said p 60 hand crank and extending intosaid cam slot, and

switch operating means operatively connected with said hand crankshaft.

6. In combination, a hand crankshaft rotatable between two extremepositions, a cam slot formed in said hand crankshaft, said slotcomprising two axially offset portions extending circumferentiaily inopposite directions from an intermediate connecting portion and providedat the ends which are adjacent to said connecting portion 70 withsemicircular a hand crank mounted on said shaft in such manner that saidcrank is free to rotate about said shaft between two extreme positionsand to slide axially along said shaft between two extreme positions, apin se- 75 cured to said hand'crank and cooperating withcrank to permitoperation of vely connecting said hand crank with said hand crankshaftaid cam 'slot in such manner that if said shaft is rotated fromoneextreme position to the other when said hand crank is moved to one axialposition on said shaft said pin will move idly in the a one oifsetportion of said cam slot but that if said hand crank is rotated from oneextreme position to theother when said hand crank is moved to its oneaxial position on said shaft said pin will engage said cam slot at onesemicircular recess and will thus rotate said hand crankshaft inresponse to rotation of said hand crank, and that if said hand crank isrotated from said other extreme position to said one extreme positionwhen said hand crank ismoved to its other axial position on said shaftsaid pin will then engage said cam slot at the other semicircular recessand will rotate said hand crankshaft in response to rotation of saidhand crank, and means responsive to the rotation of said handcrankshaft.

7. Railway switch operating apparatus comprising a hand crankshaftrotatable between two extreme positions, a cam slot formed in said handcrankshaft, said slot comprising two axially oflset portions extendingcircumferentially in opposite directions from an intermediate connectingportion and provided at the ends which are adjacent to said connectingportion with semicircular recesses, a hand crank mounted on said shaftin such manner that said crank is free to rotate about said shaftbetween two extreme positions and to slide axially along said shaftbetween two extreme positions,a pin secured to said hand crank andcooperating with'said cam 'slot in such manner that if said shaft-isrotated from one extreme position to the other when said hand crank ismoved to one axial position on said shaft said pin will move idly in theone oii'set portion of said cam slot but' that if said hand crank isrotated from one extreme position to the other when said hand crank ismoved to its one axial position on said shaft said pin will engage saidcam slot at one semicircular recess and will thus rotate said handcrankshaft in response to rotation of said hand crank, and that if saidhandcrank is rotated from said other extreme position to said oneextreme position when said hand crank is moved .to its other axial 'willthen rotate said hand crankshaft in response to rotation of saidhandcrank, and a switch operating crank operatively'connected with said handcrankshaft and with means for biasing said switch operating crank to itsnearest extreme position. g Y

8. Railway switch operating apparatus comprising a hand crankshaftrotatable between two extreme positions, a cam slot formed in said handcrankshaft, said slot comprising two axially offset portions extendingcircumferentially in opposite directions from an intermediate connectingportion and provided at the ends which are adjacent to said connectingportion with semicircular recesses, a hand crank mounted on said shaftin such manner that said crank is free to rotate about said shaftbetween two extreme positions and to slide axially along said shaftbetween two extreme positions, a pin secured to said hand crank andcooperating with said cam slot in such manner that if saidi shaft isrotated from one extreme position to the other when said hand crank ismoved to one axial position on said shaft said pin will move idly in theone 'oil'set portion of said cam slot but that if said 8 hand crank isrotated from one extreme position to the other when said hand crank ismoved to its one axial position on said shaft said pin will engage saidcam slot at one semicircular recess and will thus rotate said handcrankshaft in response to rotation of said hand crank, and that if saidhand crank is rotated from said other extreme position to said oneextreme position when said hand crank is moved to its other axialposition on said shaft said pin will then engage said cam slot at theother semicircular recess and will then rotate said hand crankshaft inresponse to rotation of said'hand crank, and a switch operating crankoperatively connected with said hand crankshaft and with means forbiasing said switch operating crank to its nearest extreme position andwith power means for operating said switch operating crank between itstwo extreme positions. 7 U

9. In combination, a hand crankshaft rotatable between two extremepositions, a cam slot formed in said hand crankshaft, said slotcomprising two axially oflset portions extending circumferentially inopposite directions from an intermediate connecting portion and providedat the ends which are adjacent to said connecting portion withsemicircular recesses, a hand crank mounted on said shaft in such mannerthat said crank is free to rotate about said shaft between two extremepositions and to slide axially along said shaft between two extremepositions, a pin secured to said hand crank and extending into said camslot, the parts being so proportioned that when said hand crank and saidhand crankshaft occupy corresponding extreme positions said connectingportion of said cam slot will align with said pin, and means forautomatically sliding said hand crank axially along said hand crankshaftfrom one axial position to the other as said hand crank approaches anextreme position corresponding to the extreme position which the handcrankshaft then occupies in such manner that if the hand crank issubsequently rotated back to its original position said pin willcooperate with one or the other of said recesses to cause said shaft torotate in response to the rotation of said hand crank.

10. In combination, a hand crankshaft rotatable between two extremepositions, a cam slot formed in said hand crankshaft, said slotcomprising two axially offset portions extending circumferentially inopposite directions from an intermediate connecting portion and providedat the ends which are adjacent to saidconnecting portion withsemicircular recesses, a hand crank mounted on said shaft in such mannerthat said crank is free to rotate about said shaft between two extremepositions and to slide axially along said shaft between two extremepositions, a pin secured to said hand crank and cooperating with saidcam slot in such manner that if said shaft is rotated from one extremeposition to the other when said hand crank is moved to one axialposition on said shaft said pin will move idly in the oneoifset portionof said cam slot but that if said hand crank is rotated from one extremeposition to the other when said hand crank is moved to its one axialposition on said shaft said pin will engage said cam slot at onesemicircular recess and will thus rotate said hand crankshaft inresponse to rotation of said hand crank, and that if said shaft isrotated from its other extreme position to its one extreme position whensaid hand crank is moved to'its other axial position on said shaft saidpin will move idly in the other offset portion of said cam slot but thatif said hand crank is rotated from said other ex treme position to saidone extreme'position when said hand crank is moved to its other axialposition on said shaft said pin will then engage said cam slot at theother semicircular recess and will rotate said hand crankshaft inresponse to rotation of said hand crank, and means responsive to therotation of said hand crankshaft.

11. Railway switch operating apparatus comprising a hand crankshaftrotatable between two extreme positions, a cam slot formed in said handcrankshaft, said slot comprising two axially offset portions extendingcircumferentially in opposite directions from an intermediate connectingportion and provided at the ends which are adjacent to said connectingportion with semicircular recesses, a hand crank mounted on said shaftin such manner that said crank is free to rotate about said shaftbetween two extreme positions and to slide axially along said shaftbetween two extreme positions, a pin secured to said hand crankandcooperating with said cam I slot in such manner that if said shaft isrotated from one extreme position to the other when said hand crank ismoved to one axial position on said shaft said pin will move idly in theone offset portion of said cam slot but that if said hand crank isrotated from one extreme position to the other when said hand crank ismoved to its one axial position on said shaft said pin will engage saidcam slot at one semicircular recess and will thus rotate saidhand'crankshaft in response to rotation of said hand crank, and that ifsaid shaft is rotated from its other extreme position to its one extremeposition when said hand crank is moved to its other axial position onsaid shaft said pin will move idly in the other offset portion of saidcam slot but that if said hand crank is rotated from said other extremeposition to said one extreme position when said hand crank is moved toits other axial position on said shaft said pin will then engage saidcam slot at the other semicircular recess and will then rotate said handcrankshaft in response to rotation of said hand crank, and a switchoperating crank operatively connected with said hand crankshaft and withmeans for biasing said switch operating crank to its nearest extremeposition.

12. Railway switch operating apparatus comprising a hand crankshaftrotatable between two extreme positions, a cam slot formed in said handcrankshaft, said slot comprising two axially offset portions extendingcircumferentially in opposite directions from an intermediate connectingportion and provided at the ends which are adjacent to said connectingportion with semicircular recesses, a hand crank mounted on said shaftin such manner that said crank is free to rotate about said shaftbetween two extreme positions and to slide axially along said shaftbetween two extreme positions, a pin secured to said hand crank andcooperating with said cam slot in such manner that if said shaft isrotated from one extreme position to the other when said hand crank ismoved to one axial position to the other when said hand crank ismoved toits one axial position on said shaft said pin will engage said cam slotat one semicircular recess and will thus rotate said hand crankshaft inresponse to rotation of said hand aoeasas crank, and that if said shaftis rotated from its other extreme position to its one extreme positionwhen said hand crank is moved to its other axial said pin will move idlyin the other oifset portion of said cam slot but that if said hand crankis rotated from said other extreme position to said one extreme positionwhen said hand crank is moved to its other axial position on said shaftsaid pin will then engage said cam slot at the other semicircular recessand will then rotate said hand crankshaft in response to rotation ofsaid hand crank, and a switch operating crank operatively connected withsaid hand crankshaft and with means for biasing said switch operatingcrank to its nearest extreme position and with power means for operatingsaid switch operating crank between its two extreme positions.

13. Railway switch operating apparatus comprising two spaced parallelrods, a switch operating crank journaled on one of said rods formovement between two extreme positions, a second crank operativelyconnected with said first crank, spring mechanism journaled on the otherrod and operatively connected with said second crank in such manner thatsaid switch operating crank is biased to the nearest one of its twoextreme positions, a gear segment formed on said second crank, a shaft,a gear secured to said shaft and meshing with said gear segment, meansfor at times rotating said shaft between two extreme positions to causesaid switch operating crank to rotate between two extreme positions, anda fluid pressure motor journaled on said other rod and having its pistonoperatively connected with said switch operating crank in such mannerthat movement of said piston from one end of its stroke to the otherwill cause said switch operating crank to rotate between its two extremepositions.

14. Railway switch operating apparatus comprising two spaced parallelrods, a switch operating crank journaled on one of said rods formovement between two extreme positions, a

second crank operatively connected with said first crank, springmechanism journaled on the other rod and operatively connected with saidsecond crank in such manner that said switch operating crank is biasedto the nearest one of its two extreme positions, a gear segment formedon said second crank, a shaft, a gear secured to said shaft and meshingwith said gear segment, manually operable means for at times rotatingsaid shaft between two extreme positions to rotate said switch operatingcrank, and a fluid pressure motor journaled on said other rod and havingits piston operatively connected with said switch operating crank insuch manner that movement of said piston from one end of its stroke tothe other will cause said switch operating crank to rotate between itstwo extreme positions.

15. Railway switch operating apparatus comprising two spaced parallelrods, a switch operating crank Journaled on one of said rods formovement between two extreme positions, a second crank operativelyconnected with said first crank, spring mechanism Journaled on the otherrod and operatively connected with said second crank in such manner thatsaid switch operating crank is biased to the nearest one of its twoextreme positions, a gear segment formed on said second crank, a shaft,a gear secured to said shaft and meshing with said gear segment, amanually operable lever, means for operatively connecting said manuallyoperable lever with said shaft in such manner that said switch operatingcrank may be rotated from either extreme position toward its otherextreme position by said lever but that said switch operating crank isfree to complete its movement toward such other extreme position inresponse to the bias of said spring mechanism independently of anymovement of said lever, and a fluid pressure motor Journaled on saidother rod and having its piston operatively connected with said switchoperating crank in such manner that movement of said piston from one endof its stroke to the other will cause said switch operating crank torotate between its two extreme positions.

mnmr L. BONE.

